why did they kill off cragen on svu

Captain Donald Cragen was killed off in the season 27 premiere of Law & Order: SVU, with his death occurring off-screen. The show did not clarify the cause of his death during the episode. Cragen had retired in season 15, and actor Dann Florek, who portrayed him, left the show then as well. The character's death was used as a narrative device to honor his legacy and to impact the storyline of current characters, especially Captain Olivia Benson, who regarded Cragen as her mentor. His death marked a significant moment for the series, with former colleagues gathering to pay tribute to him, and Benson reflecting on all she learned from him as a captain. Florek left the show for reasons related to his character's retirement, reflecting real-life New York City police retirement. The character's death in season 27 was not tied to any specific real-life reason for the actor but served storytelling purposes within the series, reinforcing themes of legacy, mentorship, and change within the SVU team.